Horvitz & Levy is a solutions-based firm focused on appellate success. We are distinguished by our commitment to responsive service and on-going innovation in the areas of civil appellate litigation, amicus curiae support, and trial strategy consultation.

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Actress Robyn Cohen, who is best known for her appearance with Bill Murray in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, won a jury verdict of $17 million after she had to evacuate her apartment because of a fire in her building. Horvitz & Levy LLP was retained to prepare post-trial motions for a new trial and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) on behalf of Donald Sterling, the owner of the apartment building. The trial judge granted partial JNOV on Cohen’s claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED), and a complete new trial on all her remaining claims. The judge found that the $15 million punitive damages award was excessive, and that a complete new trial was required because he was unable to determine what portion of the compensatory and punitive damages awards rested on the defective IIED claim.

Horvitz & Levy also represented Sterling in the subsequent appeal, in which Cohen challenged both the new trial order and the grant of partial JNOV in an attempt to reinstate the $17 million judgment. The Court of Appeal rejected all Cohen’s arguments, upholding both the new trial order and the partial JNOV order on Cohen’s IIED claim, and remanding the case for a complete new trial on Cohen’s remaining claims.